First Nations Mining Essentials Program Graduation

by mmnationtalk onApril 30, 2013421 Views

WHO: Open to Media Only.

Oshki Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute (Oshki), along with Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (Cliffs), would like to provide reporters an opportunity to observe the graduation of 14 Webequie First Nation Mining Essentials students. An open question period will be conducted and limited to inquiries related to the development and execution of the Mining Essentials program (Oshki) as well as Cliffs’ involvement in said program.

WHAT: Mining Essentials is a pre-employment training program co-owned by the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), funded in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, delivered through local training partners such as Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute. This program is designed to teach essential and work readiness skills to individuals looking to be considered for entry level positions in the mining industry. It combines 240 hours of classroom learning and 120 hours of hands-on, practical enrichment activities. In addition, this program teaches skills using industry examples, tools, documents, situations, as well as traditional Aboriginal teaching methods and mediums.

Cliffs, as the primary industry partner, was pleased to be a part of this training initiative by providing the students an opportunity for on-site job shadowing, hands on instrumentation training, etc. We would like to offer our congratulations to the graduates, and we look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with groups like Oshki on future Aboriginal training initiatives.

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. is an international mining and natural resources company. A member of the S&P 500 Index, the Company is a major global iron ore producer and a significant producer of high- and low-volatile metallurgical coal. Cliffs’ strategy is to continually achieve greater scale and diversification in the mining industry through a focus on serving the world’s largest and fastest growing steel markets.

Driven by the core values of social, environmental and capital stewardship, Cliffs associates across the globe endeavor to provide all stakeholders operating and financial transparency.

The Company is organized through a global commercial group responsible for sales and delivery of Cliffs products and a global operations group responsible for the production of the minerals the Company markets. Cliffs operates iron ore and coal mines in North America and an iron ore mining complex in Western Australia. In addition, Cliffs has a major chromite project, in the feasibility stage of development, located in Ontario, Canada.

About Oshki-Pimache-O-Win

Founded in 1996, Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute is an Aboriginal post-secondary education and training institute committed to increasing access to, and success in, accredited postsecondary education to the people in the forty-nine communities of Nishnawbe Aski Nation and other learners. Our mission is to be a leader in providing excellence in post-secondary education by meeting the educational and cultural needs of the members and communities of Nishnawbe Aski Nation through a holistic approach to lifelong learning.

About the Mining Industry Human Resources Council

MiHR contributes to the strength, competitiveness, and sustainability of the Canadian mining industry by leading the collaboration among communities of interest to address emerging human resources opportunities and challenges. www.mihr.ca.